The IRONMAN Group have announced that Chattanooga, Tennessee, has been selected as the host city for the 2027 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships, which will be held on 28 and 29 August.

Held annually, the event expects to welcome 7,000 of the very best professional and age-group triathletes who have secured their starting spot at one of the over 120 qualifying events worldwide, with the men and women each having a day to themselves.

The 70.3 World Championships rotate locations each year – the 2026 edition will be held in Nice, France – and the 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Chattanooga marked a milestone moment in the event’s evolution as it was the first time the championship was contested across two days, with greats Daniela Ryf and Javier Gomez taking the respective titles.

The qualifying window for 2027 opens early in July so time was rapidly running out for this announcement.

What’s in store in Chattanooga?

While Chattanooga regularly hosts IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 races, the 70.3 Worlds represents a significantly elevated level of competition on a global scale, which attracts widespread media and broadcast attention.

Only athletes who qualify through top performances at races around the world earn the right to compete, creating a championship field that is deeper, more international, and more competitive than a typical event – positioning the race as one of the sport’s most prestigious annual competitions.

On the professional side, the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship has found its own niche as a battleground between some of the best Olympic-distance specialists and established IRONMAN athletes.

The city’s course features a stunning swim in the Tennessee River, rolling bike terrain into northern Georgia, and a scenic, spectator-friendly riverwalk run described by athletes as inviting and competitive.

Five-year agreement

In 2024, Chattanooga was named the “Friendliest City in the U.S.” by Condé Nast Traveler as part of its prestigious Readers’ Choice Awards. And as North America’s first National Park City, Chattanooga stands at the forefront of urban sustainability and access to the outdoors, offering unparalleled connections to nature.

This announcement comes as part of a new five-year agreement that reinforces the city’s role as a key destination on the global IRONMAN race calendar as the partnership will also include the return of an Experience Oman IRONMAN Pro Series event to Chattanooga in the coming years, further elevating the region’s standing as a premier destination for professional and age-group racing.

Qualifying starts in early July

“Chattanooga has already demonstrated its ability to deliver an exceptional IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship experience,” said Diana Bertsch, Managing Director, IRONMAN North America & World Championship Events. “From its stunningly scenic courses to the overwhelming community engagement, we are thrilled to return in 2027 and once again showcase this iconic destination to a global audience. This expanded partnership reflects our shared commitment to long-term success and continued growth, including the return of professional racing.”

And Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly added: “Chattanooga has welcomed IRONMAN participants for over a decade and it’s a key part of our sports landscape.

“IRONMAN brings in top athletes from around the world and showcases our great city to so many. We appreciate IRONMAN for signing up with Chattanooga for another five-year run and this championship will be a further driver of the city’s tourism economy.”

The qualifying cycle will begin on July 5, 2026 with IRONMAN 70.3 Jönköping European Championship, IRONNAN 70.3 Les Sables d’Olonne-Vendée and IRONMAN 70.3 Muskoka triathlons.